We were very optimistic about Civilization 7, not simply because of the series’ track record but because the hands-on and interview we had at Gamescom last summer seemed to acknowledge one of the intrinsic flaws of the game; namely that the opening hours, where you’re controlling a prehistoric tribe of nomads as they explore the planet, are considerably more interesting than quietly adding defences and tech upgrades to your cities at the end of the game.
Unfortunately, the most obvious way in which Civilization 7 chooses to address this problem is by simply stopping the game in the 1960s, with the first manned space launch, cutting out the modern and future ages entirely – which not only feels anticlimactic but reeks of an excuse to charge for DLC later.
There are some franchises that are so iconic that they personify an entire genre, whether it’s Tetris for puzzle games or Street Fighter 2 for fighting games; some titles are so famous that they’re the first thing that comes to mind for most people, whether they’ve personally played them or not and regardless of whether the game is actually the most successful in its genre.
However, not only is this an idea obviously stolen from Humankind (although Civilization 7 places more realistic restrictions on the culture choices) but the way everything gets a soft reset at the end of an age, in terms of construction and diplomatic relations, can ruin your plans just as they were bearing fruit.
There’re more storytelling moments in this new game, including what are essentially side quests, but the cultural avatars are now independent of their historical origins, so you can have Catherine the Great leading China for the whole of the game, if you think her leader benefits are the most desirable.
